Irish boxer John Cooney, 28, has tragically died following his ninth-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Nathan Howells at the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Feb. 1.
Cooney is most remembered for defeating Liam Gaynor in the opening round in 2023 to win the Celtic title on the high-profile Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron 2 undercard. He was making the first defense of his belt against Howells when he was knocked down in the ninth-round and eventually stopped.
The Irish boxer was attended to by medical staff at the venue after his defeat and subsequently rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital on a stretcher.
Cooney suffered an intracranial hemorrhage and required emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain.
Cooney’s condition was critical and he was placed in intensive care. After a week of battling for his life, Cooney unfortunately died from his injuries on Saturday.
“It is with complete devastation that we have to announce that after a week of battling for his life John Cooney has sadly passed away,” Mark Dunlop (MHD Promotions) told BBC News on behalf of the Cooney family.
“Mr. and Mrs. Cooney and his fiancee Emmaleen would like to thank the staff at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital who have worked tirelessly to save John’s life and for everyone who has sent messages of support and prayers.
“He was a much-loved son, brother and partner and it will take us all a lifetime to forget how special he was. RIP John ‘The Kid’ Cooney.”
The boxing community paid their tributes to Cooney on Saturday.
Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions gave Cooney a 10-bell salute during the Derek Chisora vs. Otto Wallin card.
“Very sad day for the Irish boxing community,” two-time world title challenger Michael Conlan said in a social media post. “My thoughts and prayers go out to John’s family and friends.”
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, which promoted Cooney’s title win, released a statement on social media which read: “We are deeply saddened to learn the passing of John Cooney.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, @MarkHDunlop and all the team at this time.”
